Content Warning: Suicidal Ideation Going through a faith crisis can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially in a believing family, so imagine the relief you would feel to find someone else is going through the same thing. Join John & Margi as they interview Chris Lee and Mitch Hadfield tell their Mormon Story, their struggles with the faith, and their relief to find understanding, solace & solidarity with each other. In Part 1 of 2, Chris and Mitch tell their respective stories growing up in Mormon families and share their individual struggles serving missions for the Church. Chris struggles deeply with depression and anxiety resulting in going home early though at the cost of guilt that will last for years. Mitch experiences shame over “unrepented sins,” difficulties of the mission, and deals with suicidal ideation, though his does finish the full two-year term. 1675: Navigating a Mormon Faith Crisis as Brothers-in-Law - Chris Lee & Mitch Hadfield Pt. 2 https://youtu.be/ULrXpzp6EwQ Chris Lee: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=760369408 Insta: https://www.instagram.com/macvist/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@macvist Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:06:00 Chris’ Mormon upbringing & testimony development 00:19:00 Chris goes to Snow College 00:27:20 Mitch’s Mormon and military family upbringing. 00:37:40 Mitch’s Dad worked at Pentagon during 9/11 00:44:00 Mitch goes to BYU-Idaho before serving a mission 00:54:00 Chris’ mission to Boston and first cracks in testimony 01:07:30 Chris begins to struggles with mental illness 01:13:00 Despite Chris’ worsening mental health, he faces intense pressure to stay. 01:21:20 Chris reads a tragic entry from his mission journal the day he decides he’s leaving. 01:28:00 Relieved to come home, Chris is still wracked with guilt lasting years. 01:36:00 Chris returns to Snow and begins coming back to himself. 01:44:20 Chris is able to help a friend with similar struggles before they are killed in a crash 01:49:00 Mitch serves in Kiev, Ukraine, Experiences MTC guilt & pressure 01:57:00 Mitch confesses to sexual indiscretion before the mission, experiences guilt, shame, suicidal ideation. Sees a Mission counselor. 02:05:10 Mitch’s testimony at the end of his mission. Episode Show Notes: https://www.mormonstories.org/podcast/chris-lee-mitch-hadfield-bils/ _________________________ ABOUT US: Mormon Stories Podcast is the longest-running and most successful podcast in Mormonism - hosted by Dr. John Dehlin. At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We also occasionally interview scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1) Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology, 2) Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis, and 3) Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions. Mormon Stories Podcast is a product of the Open Stories Foundation - a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting Mormons in religious transition. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today: One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Amazon Smile: Be sure to select “Mormon Stories” website: https://smile.amazon.com app: https://amz.run/5r2M Our Platforms: Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: MormonStories@gmail.com PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117 #MormonStories #Mormon #lds